Vomitorium

What is this?  A Latin word I learned in Israel.  We saw a number of these because we came across a number of amphitheatres from the Romans.  The vomitorium was where people could "exit" from the stands.  I feel like my blog is becoming a vomitorium of sorts. I had no idea blogging was addictive.  I can't seem to stop writing.  But, you can always quit reading, so I guess there's no real burden on anyone if I write or not.  Proceed at your own peril.  Word vomit ahead.

On a similar note, I had a chance to look at my followers today.  A few surprises!  One really thew me for a loop - I have no idea how she found me.  But, I am so excited to see her sitting there under my blog!  And G-Pa, I know who you are!  I didn't at first, but now I do.  (I have to say) the name is a good one for you.  ;)  All very fun followers!  I'm so glad you chose to join me!

My plans for seeing my husband were delayed by a day today, but it was an awesome decision for the most part. (Save the fact that I am 21 days of separation from my boy - frowny face!).  I got a full day with my mom!  I got to see my sister and I got a second round with part of my bro's fam :)  We got some good stuff done puttering around.  I saw a church sign later in the day that read, "Come as you are, Leave different".  The irony in this is that when I left for my potentially life-changing trip, I had this very same chest cold.  

I started my day by losing a souvenir shell down a bathroom drain.  I found it in a Canaanite village from the Bronze Age on my trip.  You would have thought I lost a diamond by my reaction.  I was cleaning several shells in the process and it got me to thinking about Israel.  Mostly, about how I have no right to really share anything about it.  No worries, I will.  I'm just setting boundaries for myself.

My sister-n-law said to me the other day that it would be easier to talk about all that I saw in small doses.  I couldn't agree more.  Here's dose one:  my sister today asked me what was the one big thing that I learned on my trip.  I told her that I was shocked at how religion was really not a part of the tension in that area of the world.  It is, but then it isn't.  (It's here that I feel obligated to stop.)  I heard a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim all say essentially this thought about the lack of religion in the conflict, so I feel like I can share that information and still be fair.  But after that, I guess all I can do is keep processing all that I saw, heard, and felt on my journey.

We met with a holy man who said that people come to his country (Israel/Palestine) for a week, and they return home to write a book about it.  Then others come for a month, and they return home to write an article.  And still others come and stay longer.  The longer they stay, the less they understand - these folks write nothing.  That's pretty humbling.  Do I know less for going than I did before?  I don't think so, but I will respect the fact that I cannot fairly convey what anyone is going through in that part of the world.  

If someone came to the US and spent two weeks here, would I really respect what they had to say about my country?  It's an interesting question.  I confess, I'd love to hear the impressions after a two week blitz of America.

I have looked at most of my 2000 pictures now and I really want to post some more on this site for people to see.  So for any who choose to stick around, there will be photo art to follow.

Enjoy your weekend!